Project Stride: An Equine-Assisted Intervention to Reduce Symptoms of Social Anxiety in Young Women

Alfonso, Sarah V.; Alfonso, Lauren A.; Llabre, María M.; Fernández, M. Isabel

doi:10.1016/j.explore.2015.08.003

Cited by 35 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…In conclusion, this work poses the basis for the application of novel high level signal processing techniques for stationary and non-stationary signals [113,114], already used in investigating human-to-human interaction [115][116][117], to animals, and particularly to horses, in order to objectively reveal interesting responses of both the central and autonomic nervous system (ANS) for a particular uncommon stimulation. Moreover, the achieved results lead us to conclude that a quantitative measure of the human-horse interaction is viable, and it could be very effective in many fields of application, for example in therapy assisted by equine (EAT) [2,118] or for controlling the effect of therapeutic horseback riding [119]. In this field, our paradigm could permit analyzing the emotional interaction of a human patient with a "standardized horse" (a horse specifically trained and managed to create a controlled positive emotional background with a human).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

A Wearable System for the Evaluation of the Human-Horse Interaction: A Preliminary Study

et al. 2016

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Abstract:This study reports on a preliminary estimation of the human-horse interaction through the analysis of the heart rate variability (HRV) in both human and animal by using the dynamic time warping (DTW) algorithm. Here, we present a wearable system for HRV monitoring in horses. Specifically, we first present a validation of a wearable electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring system for horses in terms of comfort and robustness, then we introduce a preliminary objective estimation of the human-horse interaction. The performance of the proposed wearable system for horses was compared with a standard system in terms of movement artifact (MA) percentage. Seven healthy horses were monitored without any movement constraints. As a result, the lower amount of MA% of the wearable system suggests that it could be profitably used for reliable measurement of physiological parameters related to the autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity in horses, such as the HRV. Human-horse interaction estimation was achieved through the analysis of their HRV time series. Specifically, DTW was applied to estimate dynamic coupling between human and horse in a group of fourteen human subjects and one horse. Moreover, a support vector machine (SVM) classifier was able to recognize the three classes of interaction with an accuracy greater than 78%. Preliminary significant results showed the discrimination of three distinct real human-animal interaction levels. These results open the measurement and characterization of the already empirically-proven relationship between human and horse.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

A Wearable System for the Evaluation of the Human-Horse Interaction: A Preliminary Study

et al. 2016

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“…Many reports have demonstrated the benefits of horseback riding with respect to enhancing physical health ( 7 ), as well as the mental effects ( 10 , 12 ). There are also many possible effects of human–animal interactions, such as horseback riding, on child development ( 24 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many reports have demonstrated the benefits of horseback riding with respect to enhancing overall health, improving circulatory functions ( 6 ), providing stimulation of the spinal cord, promoting the development of balance and motor functions ( 7 ), and improving muscle strength ( 8 , 9 ). Moreover, horseback riding has mental effects, such as relieving anxiety ( 10 ), reducing hyperactivity ( 11 ), enhancing self-esteem ( 12 ), and promoting relaxation ( 13 ). However, few studies have addressed the effects of horseback riding on children and the mechanisms underlying how the riding affects humans.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Horseback Riding Improves the Ability to Cause the Appropriate Action (Go Reaction) and the Appropriate Self-control (No-Go Reaction) in Children

Ohtani

Kitagawa

Mikami

et al. 2017

Front. Public Health

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BackgroundThere are many obvious health benefits to riding, including developing a strong core and legs, but there are also many less obvious benefits, such as increased confidence and introspection. Few studies have addressed the effects of horseback riding on children and the mechanisms underlying how riding affects humans. We examined the effects of horseback riding on the ability to distinguish Go/No-go tasks and solve arithmetic problems in children.MethodsThe subjects were 34 boys and 72 girls, aged 10–12 years old, which were divided into three groups (horse riding, walking, and resting). They were healthy typical children, who performed the Go/No-go tasks and solved the arithmetic problems. The heart rate and heart rate variability of the children, and the three-dimensional acceleration of the children while walking horses, were examined.ResultsRiding on a half-breed horse or a pony improved the ability to perform Go/No-go tasks and solve arithmetic problems, possibly through sympathetic activity. Some horses, like the Kiso, might provide a healing effect to children through parasympathetic activity. Statistically significant differences in the three-dimensional acceleration and the autonomic activities were observed among the three horses. The acceleration in the Kiso horse group during walking in hand was significantly different from those involving the other two horses, indicating that the vibrations produced by these horses might modify the autonomic activities.ConclusionThe most important beneficial factor of horseback riding for children and for human health appears to be associated with the horse’s vibrations, which may differ among horses. Riding some horses may improve the ability of children to respond with an appropriate action depending on the situation (Go reaction) or use self-control appropriately (No-go reaction), possibly through the activation of the sympathetic nervous system.

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“…Slow vestibular stimulation benefits the balance and relaxation of muscle tone throughout the body [33]. Equine-assisted therapy has been used to control anxiety, stress, and trauma [34,35]. Stress, anxiety, tension and nervousness exert high impact on the masticatory muscles, causing an increase in myoelectric activity patterns [36,37].…”

Section: Plos Onementioning

confidence: 99%

Electromyographic analysis of stomatognathic muscles in elderly after hippotherapy

et al. 2020

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The aging process affects the entire human body, including the stomatognathic system, and can trigger not only occlusal but also postural imbalances involving other muscular chains. Hippotherapy has been used to promote cervical, postural, and balance control in individuals with diverse impairments. The present study used electromyography to evaluate the masseter and temporal muscles in an elderly population pre-and post-hippotherapy. Participants included 17 individuals, mean age 66,5±7 years. Electromyographic recording of the bilateral masseter and temporal muscles was performed during the postural resting condition and activities that involved the active participation of these muscles in different conditions. The practitioner performed no other type of activity or exercise during the intervention because the objective is to evaluate the effect of the three-dimensional movement provided by the horse. Raw electromyographic data were tabulated using commercially available software (IBM ® SPSS ® Statistics 234.0) and subjected to statistical analysis, in which p � 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Post-hippotherapy, there was lower electromyographic activity for the masseter and temporalis muscles in all the static mandibular tasks, with significant effect for time for the right temporal muscle (p = 0.038), the left temporal muscle (p = 0.028) and in the all dynamic mandibular tasks for the left temporal muscle (p = 0.025) and the left masseter muscle (p = 0.027). Hippotherapy promotes a reduction in the myoelectric activity of the masticatory muscles of elderly individuals.

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Project Stride: An Equine-Assisted Intervention to Reduce Symptoms of Social Anxiety in Young Women

Cited by 35 publications

References 11 publications

A Wearable System for the Evaluation of the Human-Horse Interaction: A Preliminary Study

A Wearable System for the Evaluation of the Human-Horse Interaction: A Preliminary Study

Horseback Riding Improves the Ability to Cause the Appropriate Action (Go Reaction) and the Appropriate Self-control (No-Go Reaction) in Children

Electromyographic analysis of stomatognathic muscles in elderly after hippotherapy

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